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A construction company in the Northwest has been fined £60,000 after an employee was seriously injured when he fell through an unprotected floor opening.
The incident happened in April 2024 at a site in Cumbria. A general labourer was sweeping dust and debris on the first floor when the accident occurred. Boards had been placed across part of a staircase opening, but they did not cover the entire gap, and there was no edge protection or warning signage. While working along the boards, a newly built wall collapsed, causing him to fall over the unprotected edge.
The employee fell approximately 2.5 to 3 metres and spent a month in hospital recovering from multiple fractures and a dislocated shoulder.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the risk had not been properly managed, there was no supervision at the time, and the worker had not received safety instructions.
The company was convicted of breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and was fined, in addition to being ordered to pay costs and a victim surcharge.
HSE Inspector Derek McLauchlan said: “Any work at height carries potential risks and must be properly planned and managed. This incident could have been prevented if suitable control measures and training had been in place.”
This case highlights the importance of ensuring the safety of employees working at height. A guide on what employers need to do to protect their employees from falls from height is available on the HSE website.
